The California Lawyers Association (CLA) Bar Leaders Conference and separately the Annual Meeting and CLA & California Judges Association (CJA) Presidents Gala (CLA & CJA Presidents Gala) at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel in America’s Finest City, San Diego, California, were a resounding success. The educational sessions were well received and attended. The keynotes were fantastic. The swearing-in ceremony was memorable. The excitement reached a fever pitch for the Second Annual CLA & CJA Presidents Gala.
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What a journey it has been! Over 100,000 miles traveled since the start of my California Lawyers Association Presidency in September 2021. It was a dream turned into reality. Dreams are but realities yet to happen, if only we just believe. What started with a swearing-in ceremony with the Chief Justice of California on our screens ended soon after at a Gala in tuxes and dresses. Something impossible but for Providence, time, hard work, and wonderful people.
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What do Anthony Bourdain and my summer have in common? Everything. This summer, I took a trip of a lifetime. The one where you realize that Anthony was right when he said that “the more places I see and experience, the bigger I realize the world to be. The more I become aware of, the more I realize how relatively little I know of it, how many places I have still to go, how much more there is to learn.”
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In the legal profession and with societal norms, people are often restricted by rules, regulations, and responsibilities. Attorneys, as officers of the court, must follow the law and lead by example, particularly with our families, clients, the profession, the community, and ourselves. Attorneys must be standard bearers for good.
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Remember when you were a child? You had passions and dreams. Just because you have a career does not mean you have to give up on those exciting endeavors. Set goals and combine your career with those aspirations. Your career is best when it reflects your passions and dreams.
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Attorneys, more than any one group of professionals or section of the American workforce, understand that it is not always the best argument, legal standard, or fact that wins out. In life, this principle of “best does not always win” applies as well. Often, it is not the smartest, most attractive, or even the most prepared person who wins. It is the person who is most consistent and stays the course. It is also the one most willing to be responsive to a change in circumstance or circumstances in general.
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Mark Twain said, "The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and when you discover the reason why."
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My sisters have beautiful stories to tell. Growing up with five older sisters, three older brothers, and two wonderful parents, mom and dad, who just celebrated 50 years of marriage, was, to say the least, an amazing experience. My mother, jokingly, often told me growing up that had I been the first, I would have been the last! Learning from these experiences was one of the better lessons learned in life.
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Thinking back on the heroes that had an impact on childhood experiences, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and civil rights champion Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” This rings as true today as it did when the words were spoken. It is one of the truer statements ever to be made.
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First and foremost, hoping your holiday season has been fantastic and wishing you a Happy New Year. It has been a year to remember and there are many things to reflect on as an organization and serving as President. Being President has been one of great honors of my life and career to this point.
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